Riding Valkyries (Aurora in Þingvellir) 2

The aurora borealis is a magnificent natural light phenomenon in the sky that has captured the human imagination and given rise to lots of legends and mythology. For the Norse people, when the Valkyries, female warriors, mounted upon horses and armed with helmets and spears, rioe forth on their errand, their armour sheds a strange flickering light, which flashed up over the northern skies, making what Men call the "Northern Lights". Þingvellir is an UNESCO World Heritage Site in southwestern Iceland. It lies in a rift valley that marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Drifting into the sunset

Þingvellir

Þingvellir, ("Thing Fields"), anglicised as Thingvellir, is a place in the administrative district of Bláskógabyggð in southwestern Iceland, near the Reykjanes peninsula and the Hengill volcanic area. It lies in a rift valley that marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Þingvellir was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a site of historical, cultural, and geological importance. Together with the waterfall Gullfoss and the geysers of Haukadalur, Þingvellir is part of a group of the most famous sights of Iceland, the Golden Circle.

Þingvellir,

Þingvellir, ("Thing Fields"), anglicised as Thingvellir, is a place in the administrative district of Bláskógabyggð in southwestern Iceland, near the Reykjanes peninsula and the Hengill volcanic area. It lies in a rift valley that marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Þingvellir was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a site of historical, cultural, and geological importance. Together with the waterfall Gullfoss and the geysers of Haukadalur, Þingvellir is part of a group of the most famous sights of Iceland, the Golden Circle.

Þingvellir,

Þingvellir,

Iceland between snow storms

This a color photograph. Yes I know it looks like a black and white one but it has not been processed as such. It is simply that this is how Iceland looked between snow storms.

Power and Inspiration (Skógafoss)

Skógafoss is a waterfall situated on the Skógá River in the south of Iceland at the cliffs of the former coastline. The Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in the country with a width of 25 metres (82 feet) and a drop of 60 m (200 ft). This waterfall must be one of the most popular for tourist to photograph in the summer. But I think it is even more magical in the winter, specially in B&W.

Sunrise by Skálholt church

I have to confess this is my favorite photo I shot of the Skálholt church. I wasn’t facing the building but I could resist the colors of this sunrise, reflecting in the snow and the moon, not wanting to set yet. Really beautiful. The Skálholt church was, through eight centuries, one of the most important places in Iceland. From 1056 until 1785, it was one of Iceland's two episcopal sees, along with Hólar, making it a cultural and political center. Iceland's first official school, Skálholtsskóli (now Reykjavík Gymnasium, MR), was founded at Skálholt in 1056 to educate clergy. In 1992 the seminary in Skálholt was re-instituted under the old name and now serves as the education and information center of the Church of Iceland.

Icelandic Turf Church In Winter

This beautiful small wooden turf church in snow was captured at sunrise. It is found next to Skalholt cathedral on the Golden Circle in Southern Iceland

Warming Sun

The sun was rising just to give a touch of warmth and beauty to what was a cold day. The white color of the snow offered a nice contrast to the blue and yellows of the sky

Sunrise on a sea of snow

This photo was shot at the Snæfellsnes peninsula situated to the west of Borgarfjörður, in western Iceland. The tour of this area was certainly well worth it as the entire peninsula was simply beautiful. The peninsula has been named Iceland in Miniature, because many national sights can be found in the area, including the Snæfellsjökull volcano, regarded as one of the symbols of Iceland, and also known as the setting of the novel Journey to the Center of the Earth by the French author Jules Verne. This is the area of Farm Oxl, located in County Breiduvikurhreppur, near Hotel Budir. In the 16th century, a man lived in this farm. His name was Björn, and he was nick-named Axlar-Björn and, who to this day, remains the country’s most notorious serial killer. While he was a real person, he has become the subject of several folk tales

IMG_6742

Rising through centuries

The Romans called the Mediterranean Sea, Mare Nostrum - "Our Sea", since their empire encircled the entire Mediterranean. A very descriptive name and not just for the Romans. It will always be Our Sea for many European nations because our life is so closely linked with and influenced by the Mediterranean. During the Roman empire magnificent monuments were built, like this amphitheater in Tarraco, now Tarragona, the ancient capital of the Hispania Citerior Province. These ruins are now an UNESCO World Heritage site. The amphitheatre could house up to 15,000 spectators, and measured 130 by 102 metres (427 ft × 335 ft) and was built at the end of 1st century BC and the start of 2nd century BC, down from the walls and facing Our Sea This picture was shot at the Mare Nostrum Balcony in Tarragona.

People Watching

I love spring and summer nights. Going out with friends and family and sit outside at a cafe or a restaurant and watch people pass by. It is the best way to end the day. View of the Town Hall (Ajuntament) in Tarragona at the Placa de la Font

Castle home and funicular in Tibidabo (Casa Arnús)

La Casa Arnús, also known as el Pinar, is an Art Nouveau house built by Enric Sagnier i Villavecchia and found in The Tibidabo. The Tibidabo is the highest mountain of the Sierra de Collserola coastal range. Its natural environment is popular for its recreational value and stunning vistas over the city of Barcelona. The Tibidabo can be reached via the Tibidabo Funicular, which was the first of its kind in Spain. and you will see this castle-like home next to it. Another example of the fine architecture of Barcelona

Golden Hour at Plaça d'Espanya

Plaça d'Espany, is one of Barcelona's most important squares and a major transportation hub, built on the occasion of the 1929 International Exhibition, held at the foot of Montjuïc, in the Sants-Montjuïc district. It is the junction of several major thoroughfares: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, Avinguda del Paral·lel, Carrer de la Creu Coberta and Carrer de Tarragona, and leads to the Palau Nacional (which houses one of Catalonia's finest museums, the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC)) through the Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina, an avenue commonly used to host trade fairs.

Early Morning

This shot was taken when the stores began to open. The street is not crowded yet but just wait a few minutes and people will show up! I am getting hungry too. Maybe I'll get an orange. The building in the back is Tarragona's cathedral

Quiet sunrise

The beach of Miracle is situated just next to the city centre of Tarragona, but the railway track parallel to the sea separates it roughly from the city. The intention of the project is to recognise the urban character of the beach and connect it to the city structure via diverse solutions. The roman amphitheatre and the rocks, which close the beach towards the north, hosting two fortresses from the XVIII century, mark the area of the project.

The Irony

What caught my attention here was the location; the irony of selling only beautiful Eiffel Tower paintings, in different colors and sizes, and not a single one of Notre Dame. Why did the artist chose that spot? Less competition from other Eiffel Tower painters being away from the tower? Notre dame being not his thing? The tower sells better than the church?..… Interesting, specially considering that were he was standing showed a perfect view of the Notre Dame frame by vibrant green trees..…

Parisian Sunset

I love this view from Montparnasse and the alignment from the École Militaire and the Champ de Mars, continuing into the Eiffel Tower, through Trocadero and ending in Défense business district. And the sun gracefully added some colors to the view to make it even more magical